skunker

California:
Oxnard - Standard reception but the bartenders are very strict and will check a book to confirm you are staying there and the number of people in your room. Liquor provided is well swill.

South Lake Tahoe - Standard reception but golds and diamonds are invited to the hotel bar for a better drink selection and escape from the hordes at the main one.

La Quinta - Standard reception

rawjerz

I love Embassy because you know what you are gonna get.
Sometimes though, the MR can surprise you, not just with what they offer as treats and drinks, but also with the quality of the reception... which is the whole reason right? To commune with others before retiring...

Best: ES in Irvine, Ca: simply a party. nice snacks and bartenders that "get it"

Honorable Mention:
Covington, Ky (great view of cincy and river)
King of Prussia, Pa (generally a warm crowd)
Minneapolis, Mn (its way too cold outside so everybody is in a good mood)
Salt Lake City, Ut (though snacks are boring, the guests are FUN)
Lynwood, Wa (nice touch with veggie snacks)
Arcadia, Ca (great attitude by service staff)

Never again:
Secaucus, NJ (as I remember, its not only 1 drink, but its beer or wine only)

CommittedLurker

I have stayed at the ES in Milpitas. One of the worst MR ever. 1 drink per person, in a small plastic glass. Lots of kids running around in their swim suits. I won't stay there again. Breakfast was a zoo as well.

Does anyone have info on the ES in Brea, CA ?

mnredfox

ES in general is always a zoo with lots of kids. I tend to look at ES properties as simply how MUCH of a zoo is it...

jasonvr

Adding information for the ES at Santa Clara, CA.

I have literally staid at this property almost 50 times over the last five years and the managers reception has more or less remained consistent over that time. Recently there have been some changes though. Two of the four beers on tap have been changed out, arguably for lower cost items (Sierra Nevada and a seasonal Sam Adams have been removed in favor of a Hef and Marzen). The food, however, has been upgraded somewhat. On several nights I have seen vegetable and dip plates, cheese plates, and cold cuts (turkey, ham, etc). Other nights there are simpler offerings like party mix, etc. As stated, you can order from the menu, even when sitting at the bar. The menu has recently changed to become more "fancy", which is unfortunate because my two favorite items were remove. However, they did add a resonably priced, supposedly, kobe burger.

However, the thing that keeps me coming back though is the staff, at the front desk and at the bar/restaurant during the reception. Anyone who stays there, say hello to Romero, the bartender. He's the best.

Companycar

ES-Atlanta Buckhead, full bar, unlimited drinks, but chips and salsa every night does drive you nuts after a while.

JDiver

That's been my experience, and a nice one it is!

Ravenboy2001

Stayed at ES Hoover/Birgmingham, AL.. Great new property and GREAT bar service for the Mgr's reception. But alas, I was there a full week, and EVERY night they had chips and sausage-laden queso that was luke warm at best. It got old, but hey it was free.

BlueZebra

Denver Downtown- Only one drink at a time. Standard food offerings on weekends, a little more variety weekdays- vegetables, cheese, etc.

Pretty new hotel. Very modern.

adambrock

Little Rock, AR

This is my first manager's reception, so I can't say if it's normal or not. State law prohibits providing free alcohol, so they are required to charge for drinks. Drinks of any type are $1.00 each and can be billed to the room. They are served in 8oz goblets.

For food they have a variety of Chex Mix type products and chips with salsa.

They have Budweiser and Miller Lite on tap. They appear to have the basic liquors like tequila, rum and vodka. They also have some wine.

cblaisd

Sounds just fine to me

GJS - yow

VIRGINIA
Hampton Roads
Regular Managers Reception
Unlimited Drink Quantities: Beer - Bud, Bud Light, and Miller Lite on draft; Wine - house wines only; Mixed drinks - house liquors; Two premixed "specials" each day - margarita, daquiri, or similar.
Food: below average, a couple of different snack choices, tortilla chips with bland salsa, cut veggies.

Full service bar and restaurant are available in separate areas of the hotel from the manager's reception (which is held in the breakfast area).

mnredfox

Thanks for your post, but this goes to my suggestion that we need a thread for Hampton's as this is the ES thread.

smmrfld

Perhaps it would be helpful if you read the post before commenting on its inappropriateness for this thread. The post refers to the Embassy Suites in Hampton Roads, VA.

GJS - yow

Thanks Smmrfld. There can't be too many places that create this kind of confusion (Embassy Suites in Hampton Roads, Hampton Inn in Hilton Head, any others?).

As noted, the post indeed does belong in this thread.